How to Build Prefabricated Houses

The construction process of prefabricated houses typically includes five core steps: foundation treatment, installation of foundation piles and beams, production and transportation of modular components, on-site assembly, and post-construction treatment. Efficient construction is achieved through a combination of factory prefabrication and on-site assembly.

1. Foundation Treatment
The foundation is the base of a prefabricated house and requires targeted treatment based on geological conditions. Taking a rural case in South Korea as an example, first, an excavator is used to clear surface weeds and level the land. Then, foundation pits are excavated, and white plastic sheets are laid (to serve as a moisture barrier). Finally, concrete is poured to form a cushion layer. Unlike traditional buildings, such foundations typically do not use steel reinforcement but must ensure that the concrete curing strength meets standards to provide stable support for subsequent installations.

2. Installation of Foundation Piles and Beams
After the concrete cushion layer has cured, footplates must be installed as connection points between the modules and the foundation. The footplates are fixed by drilling holes with a drill and securing them with expansion screws to ensure stability. Subsequently, a mobile crane is used to lift prefabricated foundation piles (such as 5-ton concrete components) to designated positions. Beams are then fixed to the foundation piles using mortise-and-tenon joints or nuts. The gaps must be filled with expanding foam and sealed with cement to prevent rainwater infiltration or insect and ant intrusion.

3. Production and Transportation of Modular Components
The core advantage of prefabricated houses lies in factory production. The building is disassembled into independent modules (such as ceilings, walls, and plumbing and electrical lines), which are prefabricated on an assembly line. Each module must be labeled with detailed information (such as project name, model, and production date) to facilitate subsequent assembly and quality traceability. After production, the modules are transported to the construction site using specialized vehicles, with fixed measures taken during transportation to prevent damage.

4. On-Site Assembly
The assembly method varies depending on the type of house:

• Container Houses: First, connect the bottom frame (including corner fittings, bottom beams, and purlins), install columns, and level them before laying MGO boards (fire-resistant and moisture-proof panels), and then fix the wall panels. The top frame is connected using long beams, short beams, and top corner fittings. After installing drainage channels and downspouts, finally install the ceiling, doors, windows, and weatherstripping.
• Modular Buildings: Directly lift the prefabricated modules to designated positions and complete the final assembly using welding or highly automated equipment, with errors controlled to the millimeter level to ensure structural accuracy.

5. Post-Construction Treatment
After assembly, grouting treatment must be performed on the gaps between components to enhance structural sealing. Backfill soil is used to reinforce the foundation frame and prevent settlement. Some projects also involve on-site casting to connect the modules, further reducing noise, dust, and construction waste while improving overall stability.

Prefabricated houses reduce the construction period by more than 60% compared to traditional buildings through parallel factory operations and automated production lines, offering advantages in efficiency, environmental protection, and standardization.